NATO Faces More Challenging Security Environment
NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller outlined Saturday NATO’s response to a more challenging security environment at the annual Brussels Forum conference organised by the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
Addressing an audience that included diplomats, journalists and academics, Ms Gottemoeller said that NATO’s new eastern deployments and increased role in the fight against terrorism show the Alliance can deliver security in the 21st century, but that cyber and hybrid threats mean NATO must improve its capacity to act faster.
The Deputy Secretary General cited the arrival of US troops in Eastern Europe and the strong engagement of the new US national security team, including US Vice President Pence and Defence Secretary Mattis as examples of the United States’ unwavering support to the Alliance.
Turning to the situation in Libya, Ms Gottemoeller said that NATO has received a request from the Libyan Prime Minister to begin NATO defence institution-building inside Libya and urged Russia to support the UN-backed government.
Replying to a question from the Russian Ambassador to NATO, the Deputy Secretary General stressed that the new NATO deployments in Eastern Europe are a defensive and proportionate response to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and its continued military build-up.
Ms Gottemoeller added that NATO would continue its dialogue with Russia to clarify its position and minimise the risk of incidents.
She took part in a panel discussion on transatlantic security, together with US Senator Ron Johnson, Special Advisor to France’s Chief of Defence Rear Admiral Henri Schricke and Soli Özel, lecturer at Kadir Has University.
Photo courtesy: NATO
